What does it take for a country to be considered “the smartest”?
A new global study by World of Card Games set out to answer that question by analysing intelligence and education data across several nations.
The research drew from multiple reputable sources, including the Nobel Prize Organisation, World Population Review, and international educational databases.
How were they ranked?
The study then evaluated the countries across five major benchmarks, including:
- Number of Individuals with Nobel Prize Nominations
- Number of Universities with Nobel Prize Nominations
- Average IQ (Lynn-Becker scale)
- Percentage of Adults with at least a Bachelor’s Degree
- Percentage of Adults with at least a Master’s Degree
Each factor was normalised on a 0–100 scale, with Nobel Prize nominations and education levels carrying slightly more weight in the final score.
The result is the Smart Capital Score, a comprehensive ranking that highlights not just individual brainpower, but also national achievement and access to higher education.
The smartest country in the world
At the top of the list was Switzerland, earning a Smart Capital Score of 92.02. Despite its modest population of under nine million, Switzerland stands out for its strong balance across all five metrics:
- 1 099 Nobel Prize nominations by Swiss individuals
- 32 universities with Nobel Prize nominations
- Average IQ of 99.24
- 40.02% of adults with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- 18.05% of adults with a master’s degree or equivalent
This combination of intellectual capacity, education, and global recognition firmly placed Switzerland as the smartest nation in the world in 2025.
The United Kingdom and the United States trailed closely behind, with scores of 89.40 and 89.18, respectively. Both boast massive Nobel Prize recognition but show slightly lower average IQs compared to some smaller European nations.
Here’s the full top 10 list:
- Switzerland – 92.02
- United Kingdom – 89.40
- United States – 89.18
- Netherlands – 87.30
- Belgium – 86.58
- Sweden – 85.62
- Germany – 85.40
- Poland – 80.70
- Denmark – 80.46
- Finland – 80.24
What are your thoughts on this ranking?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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